Push-pull switch



Nov. 2, 1965 J, E. ARNOLD ETAL 3,215,806

PUSH-PULL SWITCH Filed Maron 12, 1962 IN VEN TOR'.

United States Patent 3,215,806 PUSH-PULL SWITCH John E. Arnold, GardenCity, and George E. Bosch, I.)e

troit, Mich., assignors to Mackworth G. Rees, Division of AvisIndustrial Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware FiledMar. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 178,957 11 Claims. `(Cl. 200--167) Thisinvention relates to pull-push control switches, and particularly to apullpush control switch which is illuminated in on p-osition.

Control swi-tches have been provided heretofore of the pullpush typewhich were constructed to complete a circuit when the knob was pulledoutwardly to energize a rel-ay for 4starting a motor or other devicewhich retains the circuit closed when the switch contacts are openedupon the release of the knob. When the operating knob of the controlswitch is pushed inwardly, the contacts of a second switch are openedand the circuit is broken to the coil of the relay, the contacts ofwhich open and interrupt the circuit to the motor or other device beingenergized.

The .present invention has incorporated in the pull-push control switcha transformer and a circuit to a lamp located in the operating knob ofthe switch, illuminating the Itranslucent material thereof. The materialmay be red or other color which provides a signal to notify an operatorthat the switch has been moved to complete the circuit to the device andthat lthe device is operating. The transformer is self-contained andwith the switch uni-ts is mounted on .a supporting flange of an outermember which is attachable to a panel or other supporting elefment. Themember may be a cylindrical housing which extends through .an aperturein a panel and contains the pull-push actuating structure. The completecontrol switch -unit is `readily mounted on the panel and is connectedin the circuit in a normal manner. Not only does the unit function tocomplete and interrupt circuits connected thereto, but also embodies atransformer for reducing the voltage to the lamp which illuminates theoperating knob.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention are: to construct theoperating knob of a switch from a colored translucent material which isilluminated `by a lamp mounted therein; to provide a mounting sleeve ofa pull-push control switch with a flange for supporting switch elementsand a transformer for providing a reduced voltage supply for -a lampmounted in the operating knob within the sleeve; to provide aself-contained switch unit having a `mounting sleeve containing apull-push knob which is illuminated when the knob is in normal positionafter being pulled and released to energize a holding coil of a relaywhich completes a circuit .to a device and through a parallel circuit toa transformer of the switch; and, in general, to provide aself-contained pull-push control switch which is illuminated during onposition, which is simple in construction and economical of manufacture.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will bespecically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for abetter underst-anding of the inven- Ition, -to .the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view of a mounted switch with parts in sectionillustrating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a reduced front view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1,and

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram which is employed with the switch hereinillustrated.

The illuminated pull-push switch of the present invenice tion embodies asleeve 6 which serves as an outer mount.- ing means for the variousoperating parts of the switch. As shown, the sleeve 6 has a radiallyextending ange 7 Ion the inner end thereof and a thread 8 on theadjacent outer surface. The sleeve extends through an aperture 9 in apanel 11 and is located therein by a projecting boss 12 which extendswithin a notch 13 in the Wall of the aperture. A sealing washer 14 ofrubber or other material is disposed :between the flange 7 and the panel11. An in-4 struction plate 15 is mounted on the sleeve having alocating dinger 16 projecting from the inner edge to extend within aslot 17 in the sleeve 6 for rotatably positioning the plate thereon. Aknurled nu-t 18 is screwed on the thread of the sleeve and clamps theplate 15 against the Ifront face of .the Wall 11 as the flange 7 isdrawn against the gasket 14 to securely retain the switch on the p-anel.

The llange 7 forms a support for a transformer 19 and tandem switches 21and 22, the actuation elements of which are in aligned engaged relation,with the element 23 of the switch 21 in contact .with an insulatingwasher 24 which `serves as a switch actuator within the sleeve 6. Thewasher 24 is secured by lreciprocal means including a plurality of pins25 to a manual actuating member 26 which is reciprocably movable withinthe sleeve 6. A metal washer or inner support member 27 -is press-fittedwithin the sleeve 6 having aper-tures 28 through which the pins 25extend. The washer 27 has a plurality of pins 29 secured thereto havingheads 31 which extend into apertures 32 in the insulating washer 24. Awasher 33 on each of the pins 29 abuts t-he insulating washer 24 and iSbiased thereaga-inst by a spring 34 also on the pin. The springs 34 urgethe washer 24 toward the switch 21, and a spring 35 urges the actuatingmember 26 containing flanges 36 for a sealing O-ring 40 and a threadedend 37 outwardly Iof the sleeve 6.

A hollow transparent manual actuating knob 38 is screwed upon thethreaded end 37 against a `sealin g washer 39 made of -rubber or likematerial. The washer 27 has a central sleeve or inner support member 41thereon over which the actuating member 26 reciprocates. The sleeve `41.supports a lamp socket assembly including a flanged tube 42 pressedtherein containing a pair of bayonet slots 43 for engaging .a pair ofpins 44 on the body of a light bulb 45. Thus, the tube 42 serves as asocket for the bulb 45, and ange 46 on the tube 42 supports one end of aspring 47. The other end of the spring 47 abuts a washer 48. A conductor49 extends through the washer I48 in engagement with a contact button 51which en` gages -a contact element 52 on the end of a lamp bulb 45. Theend of the operating knob 38 is provided `with a plurality of ridges l53for defusing the light from the lamp 45 within a metal ferrule 54forming a handheld which may be engaged by the fingers of the operatorfor pulling the knob outwardly. The transformer 19 and switches 21 and22 are provided with `terminal screws 55 threaded in cont-act arms 56 onwhich U-shaped clips 57 are se cured. Besides the threaded body ofscrews 58, internal threaded apertures are provided therein by which theswitches .are secured to the flange 7 and to each other.

The transformer has a three-part case, a rst case portion 61 which issecured by diagonally disposed screws 62 to bosses 63 of the flange 7,and a lead of the transformer is grounded to one of the screws 62;. Thetransformer has the usual core 64 and coil 65 that are enclosed by arectangular-shaped second case portionV 66 from which the contact arms56 abut'when received in notches in an end third case portion 67. Theend third case por tion 67 extends between projecting arms 68 of the rstcase portion 61 to which it is secured by a pair of screws `69. It isalso to be understood that other arrangements may be made of theswitches and the transformer relative to each other on the flange 7, andother such arrangements may be suggested to those skilled in the art,the specific arrangement being employed herein for the purpose ofillustration.

Referring to FIG. 4, -a circuit diagram discloses the control swi-tchconnected across a pair of conductors 71 and 72 of a supply circuit.T-he switch 21 has normally open contacts, while the switch 22 hasnormally closed contacts. When the knob 38 is pulled outwardly, thecontacts 21 are closed and when the knob is pushed inwardly, thecontacts 22 are open to the same position as the contacts of the switch21. A pair of contacts of the switches 21 and 22 are bridged by a shunt73 f-rom which a conductor 74 passes to a pair of contacts 75 of a relayfrom. which a conductor 76 extends to a relay coil 77 which 1s connectedby a conductor 78 to the conductor 72. A shunt conductor 79 extends fromthe other cont-act 81 of the switch 21 to the conductor 76 to provide ailow of current across the contacts 75. This will energize the coil 77and operate the relay to close the contacts 75 which are held closed bythe circuit completed through the contacts of the switch 22. When theknob 38 is moved in- Wardly, the contacts 22 are opened, de-energizingthe circuit to the coil 77 and permitting the contacts 75 to open anddisconnect the circuit through the conductors 71 and 72. The transformer19 is disposed in a circuit composed of the conductor 82 which joins theconductor 72 to t-he conductor 76 in parallel relation to the coil 77.When the circuit 82 is energized, current flows through one portion ofthe coil of the transformer 19, with the other portion supplying currentto the light bulb 45 at reduced voltage. The light remains energized solong as the contacts 75 of the relay remain closed.

The movement of the knob 38 inwardly moves the actuating element 23 ofthe switch 21 inwardly which, being in engagement with a similar contactelement of the switch 22, moves the latter inwardly to open position.When the knob is pulled outwardly, the outward bias of the actuatingelement 23 causes the contacts of the switch 21 to move to bridgingposition and complete the circuit to the coil 77 to close the contacts75. When the knob is released, the actuating element 23 is moved a shortdistance inwardly to break the circuit across the contacts of the switch21 while permitting the contac-ts of the switch 22 to remain closed.While only one conductor 49 is illustrated to the lamp 45, it is to beunderstood that the body of the lamp is grounded to the supporting tube42 which completes Ia circuit to the grounded terminal of thetransformer. The springs 34 on the pins 29 urge the insulating washer 24outwardly while the `spring 35 urges the actuating member 26 forwardlyalong with the washer 24. A unit switch is provided having 01T and onpositions through the pulling and pushing of an operating knob whichvisilluminated by a lamp when a circuit is completed by the switch. Theswitch carries a transformer which supplies a low voltage to the lampfrom the operating circuit controlled by the switch.

T-he control lswitch herein illustrated has one of the switches 21 and22 provided with an open conta-ct while the other has a closed contactwhen the control switch is in neutral posi-tion as illustrated. It is tobe understood that both may be open.or both closed .and that additional.switches may be added to t-he two illustrated. It is also to beunderstood that the transformer may have other voltage reducing meanssubstituted therefor or the voltage reducing means may be eliminated anda set of terminals provided for connecting a circuit directly to theleads of the lamp 45. This may be a low voltage circuit, the same ordifferent from that provided by the voltage reducing means or be the:same circuit that is connected to the switches 21 and 22, in whicharrangement a pair of conductors would be provided to the socket 42.rlhe specific circuit of lFIG. 4 is illustrated by way of example and isnot to be conside-red limiting as the control switch has many otherapplications as known by one skilled in the art. One -specic advantageobtained by using the washers l 14 and 39 and the O-ring 40 is that ofsealing the control switch against any liquid, dust or grime to which itmay be `subjected thereby assuring a long opera-ting life to all partsthereof. It is to be understood also that the control switch may beoperated solely by a push, a pull, or a rotary or other movement to makeor break a circuit.

What is claimed is:

1. In an illuminated pull-push control switch, an electricallyinterconnected transformer and switch means, a first sleeve support-ingsaid switch means and transformer, reciprocal means for operating sa-idswitch means including a manual actuator on said reciprocal means atleast a portion thereof made `of light illuminable mate-rial, a secondsleeve xed -to said tirst sleeve on the center thereof and concentrictherewith, said second sleeve having a central portion slidably spa-cedfrom said first sleeve for slidably supporting said reciprocal means, alamp supported on said second sleeve within said manual actuator overwhich said manual actuator is reciprocable, said manual actuator whenpulled outwardly completing a circuit about contacts of a relay toenergize the coil thereof for closing the contacts, and a circuit inparallel with said coil for energizing said .transforme-r to light thelamp during the time the coil is energized.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said coil is deenergized when saidmanual actuator is pushed inwardly to open the contacts of the relay andfor disconnecting the lamp.

3. A push-pull control switch for controlling the conditions of anelectrical circuit comprising,

a hollow outer support member, an axially extending inner support memberconcentrically spaced from said outer support member,

means radially inwardly extending from said outer member for rigidly,radially supporting said inner member relative thereto,

said inwardly extending means including means formijng an aperturebetween said inner and outer memers,

means slidably mounted in said aperture for resilient xial reciprocablemovement relative to said memers,

said slidable means having a first end and a second end,

`iirst resilient spring means positioned between said radially extendingmeans and said rst end for urging said slidable means in one direction,

second resilient spring means positioned between said radially extendingmeans and asid second end for urging said slidable member in a directionopposite to said one direction,

manual means extending axially outward from said first end forreciprocably operating said slidable means including means slidablymounted on said axial member for providing a guide means for saidslidable means, and

switch actuating means operably connected to said second end forcontrolling the energization of said circuit.

4. A push-pull control switch for controlling the conditions of anelectrical circuit comprising,

a hollow outer support member, an axially extending inner support memberconcentrically spaced from said outer support member,

means extending radially inwardly from said outer member for rigidlyradially supporting said inner member relative thereto,

said inwardly extending means including means forming an aperturebetween said inner and outer mem-V dially extending means and said iirstend for urging said slidable means in one direction,

second resilient spring means positioned between said radially extendingmeans and said second end for urging said slidable member in a directionopposite to said one direction,

manual means including a translucent lens extending axially outward fromsaid rst end for reciprocably operating said slidable means,

illuminating means supported in said inner member for illuminating saidlens during a preselected condition of the electrical circuit, and

switch actuating means operably connected to said second end forcontrolling the energization of said circuit.

5. The switch of claim 4 further including means slidably carried onsaid inner member for providing a guide means for said slidable means.

6. A push-pull control switch comprising,

a hollow outer support member, an axially extending inner support memberconcentrically spaced from said outer support member,

means extending radially inwardly from said outer member for rigidlyradially supporting said inner member relative thereto,

said inwardly extending means including means forming an aperturebetween said inner and outer members,

actuating means having a portion thereof mounted for axial reciprocablemovement in said aperture and having a further portion thereof slidablymounted on said inner member for guiding said actuating means,

spring means operably connected to said actuating means for resilientlyiixing said actuating means in a balance position,

manual means connected to said actuating means for reciprocablyoperating said actuating means and having a seal interposedtherebetween, and

sealing means fixedly supported on one of said members and in slidingengagement with the other of said members for sealing the interior ofsaid switch.

7. The switch of claim 6 wherein said sealing means is xedly supportedon said actuating means and in sliding engagement with said outersupport member for sealing the interior of said outer support member.

8. The switch of claim 6 wherein said one of said members includes aplurality of radially extending spaced flanges and said sealing means isdisposed between said flanges.

9. A push-pull control switch comprising,

an outer open ended case,

a hollow, reciprocable, manual actuator in the open end of said casehaving at least a portion thereof of light illuminable material,

a lamp and socket assembly including a socket in said case adapted toextend into said actuator in at least certain positions of the latter,

an inner support member disposed concentrically in said case and havinglaterally outwardly extending mounting means ixed to said case andholding said member stationary in the case,

said member carrying the socket portion of said lamp and socket assemblyand also extending into and slidably supporting said manual actuator,

a switch actuating member on an opposite side of said mounting meansfrom said manual actuator,

means extending through said mounting means connecting said manualactuator and said switch actuating member for mutual operation, and

counteracting springs on opposite sides of said mounting means bearingon said manual actuator and said switch actuating member respectivelyand holding said actuator and said switch actauting member normally in aneutral position, and

said actuator being movable inwardly and outwardly from said neutralposition on said inner support member to move said switch actuatingmember between two dierent switching positions.

10. A push-pull cont-rol switch comprising,

spaced concentric inner and outer tubular members xedly interconnectedby a radial partition,

mutually operable manual and switch operating members on opposite sidesof and interconnected through said partition,

a lamp and socket assembly including a lamp mounted in and carried bysaid inner tubular member for lighting the illuminable portion of saidmanual member in at least certain positions of said switch,

said manual member being at least in part of light illuminable materialand being hollow to accommodate said lamp and said inner tubular memberand being slidably supported on the latter, and

counteracting spring means, one confined between said partition and saidmanual member and the other confined between said partition and sai-dswitch operating member, normally maintaining said members in a central,neutral position, said manual member adapted to be pushed inwardlyagainst one of said spring means to move said switch operating member toone switch position and adapted to be pulled outwardly against the otherof said spring means to move said switch operating member to a secondswitch position.

11. A push-pull control switch comprising,

spaced concentric inner and outer tubular members xedly interconnectedby a radial partition,

a lamp and socket assembly mounted in and carried by said inner tubularmember,

a hollow, manual actuator on and slidably supported over a major surfacethereof by one of said tubular members in front of said partition andhaving at least a portion thereof of light illuminable materialaccommodating said lamp,

a switch actuating member on an opposite side of said partition fromsaid manual actuator,

means extending through said partition connecting said manual actuatorto said switch actuating member for mutual operation, and

counteracting spring means, one conned between said partition and saidmanual actuator and the other confined between said partition and saidswitch actuating member, normally maintaining said manual actuator andsaid switch actuating member in a central, neutral position,

said manual actuator adapted to be pushed inwardly against one of saidspring means to move said switch actuator to one switch operatingposition and adapted to be pulled outwardly against the other of saidspring means to move said switch operating member to a second switchope-rating position.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,816,977 12/57 DeKramer 20G-153 2,914,705 11/59 Krystyan et al. 20G-167 2,916,673 12/ 59Maslin et al. ZOO-167 2,919,315 12/59 Woofter 200- 153 X 2,968,703 1/61Meyer et al. 200-153 X FOREIGN PATENTS 584,939 10/59 Canada.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

1. IN AN ILLUMINATED PULL-PUSH CONTROL SWITCH, AN ELECTRICALLYINTERCONNECTED TRANSFORMER AND SWITCH MEANS, A FIRST SLEEVE SUPPORTINGSAID SWITCH MEANS AND TRANSFORMER, RECIPROCAL MEANS FOR OPERATING SAIDSWITCH MEANS INCLUDIONG A MANUAL ACTUATOR ON SAID RECIPROCAL MEANS ATLEAST S PORTION THEREOF MADE OF LIGHT ILLUMINABLE MATERIAL, A SECONDSLEEVE FIXED TO SAID FRIST SLEEVE ON THE CENTER THEREOF AND CONCENTRICTHEREWITH, SAID SECOND SLEEVE HAVING CENTRAL PORTION SLIDABLY SPACEDFROM SAID FIRST SLEEVE FOR SLIDABLY SUPPORTING SAID RECIPROCAL MEANS, ALAMP SUPPORTED ON SAID SECOND SLEEVE WITHIN SAID MANUAL ACTUATOR OVERWHICH SAID MANUAL ACTUATOR IS RECIPROCABLE, SAID MANUAL ACTUATOR WHENPULLED OUTWARDLY COMPLETING A CIRCUIT ABOUT CONTACTS OF A RELAY TOENGERGIZE THE COIL THEREOF FOR CLOSING THE CONTACTS, AND A CIRCUIT INPARALLEL WITH SAID FOIL FOR ENERGIZING SAID TRANSFORMER TO LIGHT THELAMP DURING THE TIME THE COIL IS ENERGIZED.